Contact: Elizabeth Coplan
University of Washington School of Law
206.369.9412
ecoplan@uw.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

6-21-2012

Professor Anita Ramasastry invited to join Global Agenda Council on Human Rights at the World Economic Forum

SEATTLE --UW Law Professor Anita Ramasastry has been invited to join the Global Agenda Council on Human Rights-- one of the 80+ international think tanks at the World Economic Forum (WEF). Chosen for her years of research on business and human rights issues, Ramasastry will serve a two year introductory term at the WEF. She’s thrilled to connect with global experts and engage them in developing new policy for human rights’ conscious business operations.

“I am particularly passionate about helping the private sector to avoid doing harm when they operate in areas of war, dictatorship and armed conflict,” she explained. “Companies doing business in Libya during the resolution, for example, had to be careful to protect their workers during the violence. Companies in Colombia have had to figure out how to deal with armed paramilitary groups and rebels as they ran large agricultural operations over decades.”

The Forum was founded in 1971 as a not-for-profit international organization and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The WEF is committed to assembling the world’s brightest minds and giving them a platform to deliberate and discuss solutions for pressing issues such as climate change, the global gender gap, financial development and many more. Though the Forum is not tied to any political, partisan or national interests, they hope to advance knowledge and collaboration that will aid policy makers and catalyze positive global progress. The numerous councils each consist of 15 to 20 people from interdisciplinary backgrounds. They convene annually at the Summit on the Global Agenda. Watch this video to learn more.

Joining the GA Council on Human Rights will connect Ramasastry to 18 other field experts from all over the world, including members from France, Australia, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates. The Council will meet virtually at least four times a year, ultimately coming together in person for “the world’s largest brainstorming meeting” in Dubai. Ramasastry will attend the Summit this November.